Operations in the Tochi

The Operations in the Tochi (28 November 1914–27 March 1915) were carried out by Indian Army during World War I on the North West Frontier. The Tochi river flows East from the tribal territories, through North Waziristan, to join the Kurram and the Indus rivers. On the 28 and 29 November a raid by 2,000 tribesmen from Khost was defeated by the North Waziristan Militia near Miranshah, on the Tochi. The next January the militia again defeated a raid by tribesmen which had attacked Spina Khaisora. On the 25–26th March a force of over 7,000 tribesmen, threatened Miranshah, but was defeated by the Bannu Brigade together with the local militia.^[1]

Captain Eustace Jotham

It was during these operations when Captain Eustace Jotham was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Citation

For most conspicuous bravery on 7th January, 1915, at Spina Khaisora (Tochi Valley). During operations against the Khostwal tribesmen, Captain Jotham, who was commanding a party of about a dozen of the North Waziristan Militia, was attacked in a nullah and almost surrounded by an overwhelming force of some 1,500 tribesmen. He gave the order to retire, and could have himself escaped, but most gallantly sacrificed his own life by attempting to effect the rescue of one of his men who had lost his horse.

—The London Gazette, 23 July 1915^[2]

He was buried in the Miranshah Cemetery, North Waziristan, and is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate).^[3]

References

1. ^ Mackenzie, F A. "The Defence of India". http://www.greatwardifferent.com/Great_War/Brits_in_Caucasus/India_01.htm. Retrieved 2009-09-09. 
2. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29240. p. 7279. 23 July 1915. Retrieved 26 November 2007.
3. ^ "Commonwealth War Graves Commission — casualty details". CWGC. http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1437380. Retrieved 26 November 2007.